Student Profile

Robyn Neville

Course of Study:

Historical Studies in Theology and Religion

Year of Entry:

2006

Areas of Focus:

Late Antique to High Medieval Christian Historical Theology
Bodily Practices in Western Monasticism
The Formation of Gender and Sexuality in Medieval Religious Institutions
Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Hagiography and Penitentials
Eastern (Greek) Christian Contemplative Practices
Pedagogical Practices for Seminary Teaching

Education:

Degree Institution City State Graduation Year
Th.M. Harvard University Divinity School Cambridge MA
M.Div. cum laude The Protestant Episcopal Seminary in Virginia (Virginia Theological Seminary) Alexandria VA
A.B. cum laude The College of William and Mary in Virginia Williamsburg VA

Teaching Experience:

Course Title School Role Professor
Gender in US Religion Candler School of Theology Teaching Assistant Nancy Eiesland
Mystical Theology Candler School of Theology Teaching Associate Philip Reynolds
Monastic Theology Candler School of Theology Teaching Assistant Philip Reynolds
History of Christian Thought to 1500 Candler School of Theology Teaching Associate Philip Reynolds
History of Christian Thought to 1500 Candler School of Theology Teaching Assistant Lewis Ayres
Church History Virginia Theological Seminary Teaching Assistant Stephen Edmondson

Publications:

"Monastic Imagination? A Pedagogical Reflection," in Practical Matters, vol. 1, no. 1

Conference Presentations:

Format Presentation Title Conference Name Conference Date
Presentation (by selection) What About the Children? Irish Hagiography and the Theme of Religious Fosterage Irish Conference of Medievalists, 2009 Annual Mtg. June 2009
Presentation (by selection) Perceived Chastity and the Dynamics of Shame: Unveiling the Trope of the Pregnant Nun in Early Medieval Hagiography Southeastern Commision for the Study of Religion (SECSOR) 2009 Annual Mtg. March 2009
Presentation (by invitation) History of Feminist Christian Theology: A Brief Overview Feminist Theological Reflection Group November 2008
Presentation (by invitation) Monastic Imagination and the Pedagogy of Christian Religious Practices Consultation on Religious Practices and Practical Theology, Emory University October 2007

Work Experience:

Position / Role Institution City State Dates
Guest Preacher and Celebrant Holy Trinity Parish (Episcopal) Decatur GA 2008-2009
Teaching Associate Candler School of Theology, Emory University (United Methodist) Atlanta GA 2006-2008
Pastoral Associate for Christian Formation Christ Church (Episcopal) Cambridge MA 2005-2006
Assistant Rector St. Andrew's Church (Episcopal) Burke VA 2003-2005
Teaching Assistant Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal) Alexandria VA 2002-2003
Director of Christian Education Franconia United Methodist Church Alexandria VA 1999-2001
Youth Minister Franconia United Methodist Church Alexandria VA 1998-1999

School Community Involvement:

Position / Role Institution City State Dates
Student Representative and Organizer, Women's Caucus Southeastern (Regional) AAR (SECSOR) Atlanta GA 2009
Research Fellow and Guest Lecturer The Institute for Contemplative Living Santa Fe NM 2008-2009
Graduate Research Fellow, The Pursuit of Happiness Project Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Law School, Emory University Atlanta GA 2007-2009
Copy Editor, Practical Matters (on-line journal of religious practices and practical theology) Practices Initiative, The Graduate Division of Religion, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Emory University (Lilly Endowment) Atlanta GA 2008-2009
Student Representative, Policy and Curriculum Committee The Graduate Division of Religion, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Emory University Atlanta GA 2008
Museum Docent Carlos Museum, "The Cradle of Christianity" exhibit Atlanta GA 2007
Department Representative, Interview Weekend The Graduate Division of Religion, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Emory University Atlanta GA 2006-2008
Narrator, "The Vagina Monologues" Harvard Divinity School Cambridge MA 2006
Artistic Director, Mystic Theatre The College of William and Mary in Virginia Williamsburg VA

Practices Concentration:

Core Seminar Paper: Feeding the Corporate Body: An Analysis of Religious and Spiritual Discourse in Two Contemporary Weight-Loss Support Groups

Experiential Requirement: Grounding the Vision in Perpetual Light: Historical Christian Contemplative Practices and the Care of Souls in the Modern Parish: Feminist Considerations

Biography

In her current Ph.D. studies at Emory, Robyn concentrates her research work on combining feminist historiographic methodologies with an interest in religious practices. Her efforts in the Practices Concentration focus primarily on both historical contemplative practices and modern pedagogical strategies. She is also a candidate for the Graduate Certificate in Medieval Studies.